Connecticut western news., 1887-05-25
DUK-DUK.
The Peculiar Ceremony of
 South Sea Islanders,
Oannibalism Still Praoticed Frequently
 Among the Warlike Natives.

Oannibalism Still Practiced Frequently
 Among the Warlike Natives.
 Ihe most popular ceremony practiced
 by the natives of New Britian has been
 rarely witnessed by white man, said a
 traveller the other day 10 San Francisco
 Chronicle reporter. Tho Duk-duk is
 supposed to be q spirit which makes
 its appearance at day ybreak of the day on
 which the new moon appears. It in-
 varlably comes from the sea, and, as it -fs daylight two or three canoes, with a
 platform Upon them, are seen coming to
 the shore. The entire male community
 of the village awaits the coming on the
 beach, seated in silence. ca the plat
 form are two mon leaping and shouting
 and crying out in shrill tones. They
 wear a looso robe of leaves woven to.
 gcther and reaching to the knees. On
 their heads are conical-shapedh hats, some
 six feet high, from the rims of which are
 hung masks, entirely concealing the fca- lures. The masks have horrible looking faces aintcd upon them. The lower portions of the legs arc alone visible.
 As the dress is supposed to represent a cassowary, or New Guinea ostrich, with a human head, the figures, upon landing, ssexecutc series of hopping steps il im:- station of the bird Meanwhi the natives appear to be fri yhtenel. The Duk-duk is to stay in the village fortnight, and during that period he is at liberty to do whatever he pleases. No woman is allowed to look at him. In fact, as soon as the canoe was sighted the women all ran away to the bush. After dancing short time the Duk-duk goes into the jungle and the natives move off slowly to their homes.
 Tn the evening immense quantities of cocoanuts, yams, taro and other food are piled in the centre of the village square. As each man brings his con- tribution the Dul1-duk dances around him. If satisfied, he uttcrs shri l cry: if displeased, the individual receives a tremendous blow with a club. After these food offerings are concluded, the ceremonies begin. A large bundle of canes about six feet long and as thick as ones httlc finger were brought. Five or six young men jumped up, and, hold ing their arms high above their heads received heavy blows from this bundle of canes, which were yielded by the Ddks sdnk.~raIhs ca eanss-earaee around the :. bodies, and at each stroke drew blood. Other young men took their places going through the same ordeal. Some times the Dnk-duk would vary the per- fermanca by striking with his club. The ceremo nies were repeated for 10 days, and then the Duk -duks took their departure. I believe the origin and of these peculiar ceremonies are that the old native, hold power over the young men. The Duk-duk is always said to belong to some old nun who summons it out of the sea. No one knows who is actually dancing in dis yuise, but they do know that if the old | men have ordered the Duk-duk to kill my individual the command will be obeyed without interference, from any one. Again, the old men, having be- come decrepit, cannot work in their gardens, and the piles of food offered to spirits comes into their possession.
 Although cannibalism is re ported by to have died out among the stands in the South seas it is far more common than generally imagined. In New Ireland I saw a big fight between TWO villages, and after the battle the bodies of those who had fallen were 'atcn. The bodies, after being scalded n hot water, are scraped with bamboo lnifc by old women. An old man cuts lp the bodies, taking care to keep the high and sh'n bones, which are used or spear heads. After being wrapped n stout leaves, the dismembercd cada- 'ers are placed in ovens du, in the round, and in four days are really for ating. The natives made no conceal ncnt of their disgusting meal, and dur ng the feast they held wild dancing nd orgies. The preparation of sago, ocoanut and human brains is called aksak, and is in great demand among he women. The females seem to be nore brutal and savage than the men turing this cannibal banquet.